Week of July 12th, 2021

Tuesday, July 13th: Princeton Club lecture via Zoom - Final Transgression: One Woman's Tragic Destiny in War-torn France

Author Harriet Welty-Rochefort joined us live from Paris to discuss her most recent novel. Final Transgression,  85-year-old Caroline Aubry tells the tale of the tragic wartime destiny of her beloved younger sister, Séverine. When WW2 breaks out and Séverine’s collaborationist husband betrays her, she flees from Paris to her hometown in southwest France and to the château and the countess who was her mentor. Headstrong and determined, she ignores warnings about the risk of traveling to an area that has become a fierce battleground for rival groups of résistants, Nazis and collaborators. It is there, in her own village,  that she commits an egregious error––her final transgression.

Harriet Welty Rochefort grew up in Iowa, earned degrees at the University of Michigan (B.A.) and Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism (MSJ), then traveled to France - and never left. She is the author of three nonfiction books about the French: French Toast, French Fried, and Joie de Vivre. Final Transgression is her first work of fiction. Harriet lives with her French husband, Philippe, in Paris. Her website is www.harrietweltyrochefort.com 

Wednesday, July 14th: Official Bastille Day Celebration in Central Park

French expatriates and francophiles alike gathered at the Central Park Summerstage for a celebration of all things French. Singers and DJs entertained the crowd and the Cadets Lafayette performed the anthems of the US and France.

Friday, July 16th: DM Fan club returns for Shake the Disease

You know it is going to be a good 80s New Wave night when DJ Lisa Shred plays Jubilation by Anything Box as the third song in. That explained why Alex and Terry were on the dance floor for 3 hrs straight...

Week of September 5th, 2016

Tuesday, September 6th: Amor Towles Book Signing
Novelist Amor Towles discussed his latest book with a standing room only crowd at Barnes and Noble. The Gentleman from Moscow, tells the story of a young Russian aristocrat held under house arrest in a hotel in Moscow, where he meets a varied cast of characters. His first novel, The Rules of Civility, remains one of my favorite books.

Saturday, September 10th: Swing Remix featuring Ron Sunshine and his Orchestra
Friends old and new gathered to enjoy the always fabulous orchestrations of Ron Sunshine and his Orchestra.   We had great balcony seats for the dance performances, where we indulged in chocolate mousse cake and prosecco... A well-deserved break from dancing our feet off.

Week of February 9th, 2015

Monday, February 9th: "Yasmin Reza at the 92nd Street Y"

Known for her ground-breaking plays (Art, God of Carnage, Life x 3) French authoress, Yasmina Reza, discussed her new novel, "Happy are the Happy" at the 92nd Street Y. T

Links: Event website

Tuesday February 10th: "The Phantom of Fifth Avenue"

The mysterious life and scandalous death of heiress Huguette Clark was laid bare. Authoress Meryl Gordon presented the many mysteries surrounding this heiress, as were featured in her recent book.

Saturday, February 14th: "Sweetheart Swing" with Fleur Seule

Fleur Seule serenaded us at Cafe Tallulah on Valentine's Day.  

Links: Facebook event page

Week of December 1st, 2014

Tuesday, December 2nd: "A Sense of Style"

Cognitive scientist, world-renowned linguist, and best-selling author, Steven Pinker, addressed a full house on proper usage of the English language. In this special talk coinciding with the release of his new book, A Sense of Style, Dr. Pinker explained how to be a more effective communicator. His presentation was as engaging as it was instructive.

Links: Event website

In a bizarre coiincidence, 3 of the guests who attended had injured the same thumb...

Friday, December 5th: "Fridays with Fleur Seule at Tavern on the Green"

Singer Allyson Briggs and her combo delighted the bar crowd in the newly renovated Tavern on the Green in Central Park. They played 1940s Jazz, Swing and Latin beats from around the world for those intrepid enough to brave the rainy weather.

Links: Fleur Seule Facebook page

Sunday, December 7th: "NYSDS Holiday Dance"

The NYSDS Holiday Dance was a festive occasion featuring Molly Ryan. The band played a medley of favorite christmas carols, and the crowd got to lindy to the tales of Rudolph, Frosty and Santa. The incomparable Dawn Hampton, clad from head to toe in a fashionable golden outfit, performed to the delight of all assembled.

Links: NYSDS Facebook page

Week of November 24th, 2014

Monday, November 24th: "Fourth Annual Ballroom Basix Gala"

Ballroom Basix is a wonderful charity that brings ballroom dancing into schools and changes the lives of at-risk youth. The event was held at the splendid art-deco venue, the Edison Ballroom. The professional dancers put on quite a show, rivaled only by the children's dance performance.

Links: Ballroom Basix website

Tuesday, November 25th: "Ideas of Order"

Neil Rudenstein presented his new book, Ideas of Order, which explores and illustrates the most significant themes in Shakespeare's sonnets. The event was held at the Princeton Club.

Links: Book information on Amazon

Week of November 10th, 2014

Thursday, November 13th: "Albertine Retrouvée"

We explored the gorgeous new French bookstore, Albertine, located in the French Cultural Institute and rubbed elbows with Proustian scholars. We regaled ourselves with dinner at Orsay following the event.

Links: Albertine website

By co-incidence, I returned to Orsay the following evening with my family visiting from out-of town, so I will sneak in this second photo as well.